Description:
Opoponax is native to East Africa and Eastern Ethiopia where it grows wild. The essential oil-producing countries are the USA and Europe.

The essential oil is extracted from oleoresin. Opoponax essential oil is also known as sweet myrrh oil.

The oleoresin is obtained from cutting the stem and collecting the Gum resin. The Gum resin is a natural substance that is a mixture of water-soluble gum and alcohol soluble resin. The Gum resin contains 50 to 75% of water-soluble gum, 20 to 40% alcohol soluble resin, and 5 to 10% essential oil. This gum resin is also known as Bisabol.

The essential oil of opoponax is obtained by steam distillation of the crude resin. The main constituent of opoponax oil is Bisabolene.

In perfumery, it is used as a fixative and base note to the exotic, oriental fragrances.

Odor profile:
Sweet balsam, resinous spicy

Major Constituents:
Alpha-santalene, Alpha-bergamotene, Alpha-bisabolene, Ocimene, Famesene, Santalene.

Application:
~ Opoponax essential oil is used as anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Antiseptic, emmenagogue, expectorant.
~ This oil may help control coughing, congestion, and reducing the inflammatory.

Aromatherapy:
Opoponax essential oil is also used as Inhalant, Diffuser, and Massage oil. It blends well with coriander, myrrh, patchouli, sandalwood, clary sage, bergamot, frankincense, mimosa, labdanum, neroli, and vetiver.